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beam extender
shultz - August 3rd, 2005 at 11:36 AM

hi i am wanting to know if anyone in australia makes beam extender for link pin beams.
if not where in the UK or US can you get them.
i am bulding a 65 sunroof rat rod and would apretiate any assistance.


HotRodMatt - August 3rd, 2005 at 12:03 PM

No one making them commerically in Oz.

A few of the one that are available from the US and UK have serious design flaws which would never see them legal in Australia. The main problem being that they pull on the lower beam mount on the frame head.

I know one guy who used one of the "commercial" ones and it tore the frame head off due to the tension created at the bottom of the orginal frame head.

That's what you get when you buy shit from people trying to make a hands on scene just another cookie cutter "look".


The only safe way to do and get it approved in Oz is to extend the frame head itself.


Don't forget you'll also have to modify the steering column and probably have to add a uni-joint so the column will enter the cabin at the right angle. You will also have to modify your brake lines and do substantial modification to the front sheet metal including some structural sections.

For use in Australia I wouldn't recommend any of the commercially available extenders. You will need access to the fabricator if you want any chance of getting it on the road.


shultz - August 3rd, 2005 at 02:02 PM

i am just toying with the idea at the moment as i have a 65 sunroof that has been cut to a baja sitting in my shed .
i am wanting to build a ratrod for the custom nationals a philip island and it does not need to be registered.
i have heard you can also turn your torsion bars around and get the same effect then you have to set the steering up by flipping the arm on the steering box so it faces forward and making new tierod arms


HotRodMatt - August 3rd, 2005 at 02:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shultz
i have heard you can also turn your torsion bars around and get the same effect then you have to set the steering up by flipping the arm on the steering box so it faces forward and making new tierod arms


have you seen how bad that handles. Not to mention the the steering has a tendency to lock!

You would be best off cutting the frame head and extending the tunnel. You can also fabricate in your drop and not require your beam to modified.


helbus - August 3rd, 2005 at 08:25 PM

Turning the front end around would throw the geometry known as 'Ackerman angle' out the window.


WABaja - August 14th, 2005 at 08:22 PM

Check your pm's shultz ..:yes: